NAIROBI, May 4, 2026 – Government Spokesperson Hon. Sen. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura has issued a comprehensive progress report on the state of education and healthcare reforms, dismissing critics and highlighting a multi-billion shilling investment in the country’s human capital.
In a press statement delivered at Harambee House Annex, Dr. Mwaura detailed a holistic approach to national development, ranging from early childhood education funding to specialized medical treatments for the nation’s educators.
1. Massive Capitation Injection for Basic Education
The government has confirmed the release of Ksh 23.4 billion in capitation funds, disbursed well in advance of the current school term.
This move is aimed at easing the financial burden on families and ensuring that learning materials are available on day one.
Primary schools currently receive Ksh 1,400 per learner annually, distributed across the three school terms in a 50:30:20 ratio.
Dr. Mwaura emphasized that these funds are split into two transparent accounts:
- Account 1: Strictly for instructional materials like textbooks and stationery.
- Account 2: For operational costs, including utilities, maintenance, and co-curricular activities.
Addressing recent complaints of “hidden costs,” Dr. Mwaura was firm: “Anyone claiming the education system is not working is politicizing the issue. Disbursement occurs before students begin school; there is no valid reason to claim schools cannot budget with allocated funds.”
2. Digital Transparency and Staffing Milestones
The government credited the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) with eliminating “ghost students” and ensuring accurate funding distribution.
On the staffing front, the administration has fulfilled a significant portion of its campaign promises, hiring 100,000 teachers out of the targeted 116,000.
Additionally, 23,000 new classrooms have been completed, with plans to build 1,600 laboratories to support technical education.
3. Higher Education and Housing Reforms
The 2025/26 financial year projected expenditure for education stands at Ksh 702.1 billion.
A key highlight is the 69.7% increase in higher education loans, which now stand at Ksh 53.1 billion.
To address the chronic shortage of student accommodation, the government is leveraging Affordable Housing partnerships to construct 178,000 student beds across the country.
4. A New Era for Healthcare: SHA and Teacher Benefits
The transition from the defunct NHIF to the Social Health Authority (SHA) has seen a dramatic leap in coverage.
In just three years, health insurance enrollment has jumped from 8 million to 30.8 million Kenyans, covering 65% of the population.
Teachers have emerged as major beneficiaries of this transition. A new agreement between SHA, the Ministry of Health, and teachers’ unions has:
- Eliminated co-payments: Ensuring teachers are not charged at the point of service.
- Expanded Specialized Care: Providing access to treatments in Turkey and India.
- Introduced New Services: Including In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) to support educators facing infertility challenges.
- Cleared Backlogs: SHA has disbursed Ksh 284.3 billion and is processing 160 last-expense claims valued at Ksh 300,000 each.
“These initiatives demonstrate the Government’s commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive, and quality healthcare to educators,” Dr. Mwaura concluded.
